Swimming device



Nov. 6,1923. 1,473,514

' A. L. PINKARD SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Aug. 9. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1'WITNESS: ATTORNEY Nov. 1923. 1,473,514

A. L. PINKARD SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Aug. 9, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR WITIN ESS:

AITORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

ARTHOB LEE .PINKARD,

or YOUNGSTOWN, 01110.

SWIMMING' DEVICE.

Application filed August 9, 1922;, Serial No. 580,745.

To all whomit may concern:

Beit knownthat I, AR'rHoR LEE PINKARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio,have invented new and useful Improvements in Swimming Devices, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming devices and has for. an object theprovision of means whereby a person or persons may be supported upon thewater.

Another object is the provision of a swimming device which is providedwith manually operated propelling means, which is designed to beoperated by the feet of the occupant, adjustable means being providedwhereby the occupant of the device may assume either a sitting orreclining position.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construc tion, to behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In'the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a swimming deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side View of the same.

Figure3 is a fragmentary section showing a part of the drivingmechanism.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line T7 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts, the invention is shown ascomprising a frame 10 which includes a substantially central restrictedportion and a forward relatively wide portion, the latter comprisingforwardly and outwardly flared side bars 11 and forwardly and inwardlyprojecting side bars 12, the latter meeting at their forward ends so asto provide a point 13, whereby resistance to the forward movement of thedevice will be reduced. The frame further includes a transversestrengthening bar 13 and rearwardly and outwardly flared side bars 14which are connected at their rear ends by i a transverse bar 15. Thislast named bar and the meeting ends of the bars 11 and 14, which formsthe restricted portion of the frame are connected by a supplementalframe 16, which, provides a support for a propelling mechanism whichwill be later described. 7 Connected upon opposite sides of the forwardportion-of the frame 10 by means of bands or similar elements 17, arepneumatic floats 18. These floats are provided with suitable valveswhereby they may be inflated. A pneumatic float 19 is also located 7between the converging forward ends of the bars 12. In addition to thefloats 18 and 19, the frame is further provided with floats 20 which areconnected to the bars 14 by means of bands or similar elements 21 andlike the floats 18 are provided with valves, whereby they may beinflated.

Pivotally mounted upon trunnions 22 is a seat 23, which carries a back24. This seat is capable of pivotal movement so that it may be adjustedto the position of the occupant, whereby the latter may sit in anupright position or may occupy a reclining position. The seat 23 is heldin adjusted position by means indicated at 25.

Extending forwardly of the seatand connected to the cross bar 13 is astomach support 26, so that the occupant of the device may assume areclining posture, in which position the seat may be tilted totherequired angle to provide for the comfort of the occupant. Extendingdownwardly beneath the seat 23 is a standard or bracket 27 and mountedcrank 29 designed to be operated by the feet v of the occupant. Mountedupon the crank shaft 38 is a gear wheel 30 and engaging this wheel andmounted upon a longitudinally disposed shaft 31 is a pinion 32. 'Theshaft 31 is geared to a propeller shaft 33, as indicated at 34 and this.last mentioned shaft carries a propeller 35, which is'designed to beoperated by the operation of the foot 'pedals29.

Extending 10 and carried by the sidebars 14 are spaced rudders 36. Eachof these rudders has connected thereto one end of a cable 37, whoseopposite end is connected to an operating lever 38, the latter beingpositioned within from the rear end of the frame convenient reach of theoccupant of the de vice, whereby the direction of travel of the devicemay be controlled.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is here in reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A swimming deviceembodying a frame including a substantially centrally located restrictedportion, a relatively wide forward portion having a pointed one and anoutwardly flared rear portion, floats secured to the opposite sides ofthe frame in front of and at the rear of the restricted portion,

a seat located at the restricted portion, a rudder, means forcontrolling the rudder, a propeller and means whereby the. propeller maybe operated.

2. A swimming device embodying a float supported frame, a substantiallyhorizontally disposed stomach support, a seat mounted for pivotalmovement adjacent one end of the support and capable of adjustmentsubstantially at right angles thereto,

a propeller and foot operated means carried by the frame and operativelyconnected to the propeller, whereby the latter may be rotated.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa-- ture.

ARTHOR LEE PIN KARD.

